Hinge assembly for supporting a fan on a roof

ABSTRACT

A buttressed hinge assembly adjusts to fit a roof in order to hold a fan thereon, which fan is especially suitable for a restaurant roof. The hinge assembly attaches to a roof vent to hold the fan in a proper position, yet permits the fan to be easily moved for cleaning of vent and the fan.

This invention relates to a hinge assembly for supporting a fan on a roof and, more particularly, to a buttressed hinge assembly, which supports the fan on the roof, while providing for an easy cleaning procedure for both the fan and the vent on the roof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ventilation is very important in a building. To that end, at least one fan may be installed in order to assist air circulation. In a large building, the fan is required to be quite powerful. This power requirement leads to large and heavy fans. Typically, such a fan is mounted over a vent on a roof. By moving air through the vent, both the vent and the fan will become contaminated. When a fan or a vent is contaminated, air flow is compromised.

Most hinge systems are fastened to the fan by attaching hardware in a very concentrated and limited area on the fan base and duct. This causes a great deal of stress in the affected area, which leads to equipment breakdown and damage to the fan housing. In fact, current hinge systems can be installed only on fans, which that have a configuration that matches up with those of the hinge system. These hinge systems are operable only with a small percentage of the fans in use today and cannot be modified to adapt to other fans.

It is thus desirable to clean the fan and improve the air flow. As the fan size increases, movement thereof becomes difficult which complicates the cleaning process. Movement of the fan must therefore be simplified.

Cleanliness is also very important in the restaurant business. The more easily such cleanliness can be achieved, the more profitable and efficient restaurant can be. Critical to achieving these desired advantages is providing effective and simplified access to areas which need to be cleaned. This is especially critical with the vents at the restaurant.

Because of new mandates requiring commercial food processing facilities and all restaurants to install a hinging system on their roof top ventilators, it is important for these businesses to find a system that can adapt to their specific needs. The only hinging systems available are compatible with just a small percentage of existing roof top ventilation systems. The effectiveness of these systems, and in many cases the possibility of installing them at all, is limited by a number of factors including the weight and dimensions of the fan, low grade material and components, which leads to a lack of durability, and a lack of versatility, meaning an inability to adapt to a variety of different situations that may be involved with hinge installation on any given fan.

Typically, a vent at a restaurant permits an exhaust to be withdrawn from the kitchen. Assisting the exhaust is usually a fan. This vent generally passes from the kitchen through the roof. Mounted on the kitchen roof over the vent is usually a fan. Through this vent, are generally passed grease and other cooking residue.

After a period of use, this vent and the fan become contaminated with that grease. Other cooking residue also becomes adhered thereto. This basically flammable residue is at least a fire hazard, or worse. Such residue can also attract undesirable microbes and illness causing bacteria. The closeness of such contamination to a food source is a clear danger to those food consumers and food handlers, who are at the restaurant.

It is thus necessary to clean both the vent and the fan after a period of use. While the fan is necessary for the vent to work, the fan causes many problems, when the time to clean the vent and the fan comes. Any device, which simplifies removal of such contamination and cleaning of the affected area, provides many great advantages. Still, there are many problems with such a cleaning process and the related device.

A first problem is that the fan must be moved, in order to clean the vent. A properly mounted fan is difficult to move and reinstall properly. The mounting for the fan must be solid enough to hold the fan, while leaving the fan easily movable for cleaning purposes. This fan must also be simple to reinstall in order for that fan to function with the exhaust vent in a proper fashion.

To that end, a restaurant fan is sometimes mounted on a hinge. The hinges of the prior art weaken the mounting of the fan, especially if the fan is easily movable. If the hinge is strong enough to firmly support the fan, the fan is not easily moved, and access to the vent becomes more complicated.

The hinge kits of the prior art are constructed from thin gauge steel and inadequate hardware. This leads to premature equipment failure and can cause the fan to overextend or even fall off of the duct. Most hinges cannot support the weight of heavier fans.

Current hinges use holding devices such chains, cables, or similar devices to prevent fans from falling backwards. These components are the source of a number of problems. First, those holding devices, especially the chains, have a tendency to fail. When they do fail, the fan can fall backward violently, damaging the fan and posing an injury risk. They must be precisely measured and installed, adding a time-consuming factor to the installation process. Also they are a major inconvenience and obstruction to workers that clean and service the fan.

With the many variations in a roof and the plurality on different fan structures, adjustability of the hinge is also desired. Yet obtaining adjustability can interfere with both strength and access to both the fan and the vent. Emphasizing one desired feature can interfere with the other.

Thus, it is very desirable to provide access to the vent, while supporting the fan on the roof at the same time. It is also very useful if the hinge assembly can be adjustable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the many objectives of this invention is the provision of a buttressed hinge assembly, which supports a fan on a roof, while providing for an easy cleaning procedure for both the fan and the vent on the roof.

A further objective of this invention is the provision of a buttressed hinge assembly, which greatly simplifies cleaning of a vent for a restaurant.

Yet a further objective of this invention is the provision of a buttressed hinge assembly, which greatly simplifies cleaning of a fan.

A still further objective of this invention is the provision of a buttressed hinge assembly, which is easily adjustable on a roof.

Another objective of this invention is the provision of a buttressed hinge assembly, which is strong.

Yet another objective of this invention is the provision of a buttressed hinge assembly, which support the fan.

Still, another objective of this invention is the provision of a buttressed hinge assembly, which simplifies cleaning of the fan.

Also, an objective of this invention is the provision of a buttressed hinge assembly, which simplifies cleaning of the vent.

These and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings as a whole) are met by providing a buttressed hinge assembly, which adjusts to fit a roof in order to hold a fan thereon, which is especially suitable for a restaurant roof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a buttressed hinge assembly 100 of this invention for supporting a fan 110 on a roof 112 in a closed hinge position 114.

FIG. 2 depicts a side view for buttressed hinge assembly 100 of this invention based on FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of buttressed hinge assembly 100 of this invention in partially opened hinge position 116.

FIG. 4 depicts a side view for buttressed hinge assembly 100 of this invention based on FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of buttressed hinge assembly 100 of this invention in fully opened hinge position 118.

FIG. 6 depicts a side view for buttressed hinge assembly 100 of this invention based on FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 depicts a bottom view of fan base 111 for buttressed hinge assembly 100 of this invention.

FIG. 8 depicts an exploded, perspective view of a buttressed hinge assembly 100 of this invention with fan 110 in a partially opened hinge position 116.

FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of side hinge 120 for buttressed hinge assembly 100 of this invention based on FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of side hinge 120 for buttressed hinge assembly 100 of this invention based on FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of side hinge 120 for buttressed hinge assembly 100 of this invention based on FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 depicts a top plan view of side hinge 120 for buttressed hinge assembly 100 of this invention based on FIG. 3.

FIG. 13 depicts a rear plan view of side hinge 120 for buttressed hinge assembly 100 of this invention based on FIG. 3.

FIG. 14 depicts a block diagram of buttressed hinge assembly 100 of this invention, depicting a variety of hinge structures permitting an efficient use thereof.

Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with the present invention, the buttressed hinge assembly is depicted. The buttressed hinge assembly consists of a mounting support bar and a fan support bar connected together through a hinge. The fan support bar is also connected to the fan in order to hold the fan in a position and within a relationship to the roof duct. The hinge allows that fan to be securely held in multiple positions to provide easier access to the fan and duct walls during cleaning, while at the same providing a strong support for the fan as it works in a proper position on the roof.

This hinge is fastened and clamped over a much larger area of the fan base and duct. This causes stress to be more evenly distributed, which protects the fan housing and prolongs the life of the hinge system. This hinge can be installed on most fans and has a number of adjustment capabilities that allow it to be installed on almost all other fan duct combinations.

This hinge is preferably made of rust resistant heavy grade steel and assembly with rust resistant hardware. Preferably, the hinge is powder coated to resist rust. Hardware is preferably made from hardened stainless steel. This hinge uses a holding pin to lock the fan in place. It is strong and easy to install, and is completely out of the way of service providers. An additional benefit is that the fan can be locked into position at a 45-degree angle as well as a 90-degree angle, which makes it easier for service personnel to clean and service it. This hinge can handle fans weighing about 200 to 300 kilograms or more.

The hinge assembly of this invention is extremely useful for holding a heavy fan of any type in a desired position over a vent. The fan can be easily moved and support, so that both the fan and the vent are more easily cleaned. This is especially effective, for cleaning a fan on the roof of a restaurant, where grease from the cooking processes complicate the cleaning process.

Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7, the structure of buttressed hinge assembly 100 of this assembly can be clearly seen. Buttressed hinge assembly 100 has mounting support bar 102 and fan support bar 104. Buttressed hinge assembly 100 has mounting support bar 102 and fan support bar 104, which are mutually connected through their attachment on hinge locking plate 106 to form hinge 120.

Mounting support bar 102 is designed to attach to the duct wall 108 on a roof 112. Fan support bar 104 is also designed to attach to fan base 111, which supports fan 110 and provide for a temporary hinged movement of the same. Hinge locking plate 106 is between mounting support bar 102 and fan support bar 104. Hinge locking plate 106 provides a cam action between mounting support bar 102 and fan support bar 104.

Hinge locking plate 106 includes adjustment apertures 158, in order provide flexibility in the positioning of mounting support bar 102. Hinge bolt 162 permits movement of fan support arm 104 relative to mounting support bar 102. Plate bolt 164 secures mounting plate 106 to mounting support bar 102. Hinge nut 166 secures hinge bolt 162 in position to movably connect fan support arm 104 and mounting support bar 102. Plate nut 168 secures hinge locking plate 106 to mounting support bar 102 through plate bolt 164.

If desired, one or more of shim 160 (FIG. 7, FIG. 12 and FIG. 13) may be placed on hinge bolt 162 in order to space fan support arm 104 from mounting support bar 102. This is another factor providing flexibility and adjustability to the buttressed hinge assembly 100, especially in the positioning of fan 110 relative to vent wall 108.

As an option, mounting bar brace 154 may connect a pair of mounting support bars 102 in a U-shape. The connection is by welding, bolting or other suitable fasteners. This structure may add strength to the buttressed hinge assembly 100. So it is possible that mounting bar brace 154 may include brace apertures 156, which can receive fasteners 142 in order to secure mounting bar brace 154 and the pair of mounting support bars 102 to the vent wall 108.

Adding FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, and FIG. 13 to the consideration, along the length of mounting support bar 102 is a series of mounting bar securing apertures 140. Mounting bar securing apertures 140 are designed to cooperate with fastening device 142 (FIG. 14); in the form of hinge bolt 162, plate bolt 164, hinge nut 166 and plate nut 168; to secure the buttressed hinge assembly 100 to the fan 110.

More particularly, mounting support bar 102is secured with plate bolt 164 and plate nut 168 to duct wall 108 in a secure and stable manner as in FIG. 9. Mounting bar securing apertures 140 cross a majority of the length of mounting support bar 102 so that stress from the weight of the fan 110 is not concentrated in one area. This increases the life and efficiency of buttressed hinge assembly 100.

In a similar fashion hinge 162 and hinge nut 164 cooperate to join fan support bar 104 and mounting support bar 102 in at least a partially rotational relationship. Mounting support bar 102 is fixed to vent wall 108, with fan support bar 104 movable relative thereto, so that fan 110 is movable for cleaning and other purposes.

Along the length of fan support bar 104 is a series of fan support bar securing apertures 150. Fan support bar securing apertures 150 are designed to cooperate with fan fastening device 152 to secure fan 110 to fan support bar 104 in a secure and stable attachment as shown in FIG. 8. Fan support bar securing apertures 150 cross a majority of the length of fan support bar 104 so that the stress from the weight of the fan 110 is not concentrated in one area, thus increasing the life and efficiency of buttressed hinge assembly 100. This factor also increases the flexibility of buttressed hinge assembly 100 because heavier fans can be supported.

Furthermore, hinge 120 and locking pin 126 allow fan 110 to be repositioned in order to facilitate cleaning. Locking pin 126 is held to fan support bar 104 by flexible line 128. Oppositely disposed form locking pin 126, line fastener 130 cooperates with a holding device such as a rivet or a plate nut 168 and a plate bolt 164 in order to hold flexible line 128 on fan support bar 104. However, fan 110 can be moved, but does not have to be removed from hinge 120, thus making it much easier to clean both fan 110 and duct wall 108.

Once mounting support bar 102 is securely fastened to duct wall 108, fan support bar 104 can be locked in place at either a 45-degree angle (partially opened hinge position 116) or a 90-degree angle (fully opened hinge position 118). Hinge 120 allows for this variation in position. On hinge 120 are hinge locking pin apertures 122 and on fan support bar 104 are fan support bar locking pin apertures 124.

The user places fan 110 at either the 45-degree or 90-degree position and aligns fan support bar locking pin aperture 124 and hinge locking pin aperture 122 and secures the position by sliding locking pin 126 through the thus aligned apertures. With each set of apertures either the partially opened hinge position 116 or the fully opened hinge position 118 may be set as desired.

With FIG. 14, a multitude of variations may be seen for buttressed hinge assembly 100 as set forth in previous figures. Mounting support bar 102 and fan support bar 104, combine with appropriate mounting devices or fasteners, so that fan 110 may be secured to roof 112 in a suitable fashion, which in turn permits fan 110 to provide the desired exhaust, while buttressed hinge assembly 100 permits support, movement and cleaning of fan 110 and vent wall 108. Inherently, the vent formed by vent wall 108 can also be cleaned.

As shown in FIG. 14, a series of mounting bar securing apertures 140 permit flexibility in attaching fan 110. Mounting bar securing apertures 140 are designed to cooperate with fastening device 142; which can be used in place of hinge bolt 162, plate bolt 164, hinge nut 166, and plate nut 168; to secure mounting support bar 102 to duct wall 108 in a secure and stable manner as in FIG. 9. Mounting bar securing apertures 140 cross a majority of the length of mounting support bar 102 so that stress from the weight of the fan 110 is not concentrated in one area. This increases the life and efficiency of buttressed hinge assembly 100.

This application—taken as a whole with the abstract, specification, claims, and drawings being combined—provides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention as disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure.

Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this method and device can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure. 

1. A buttressed hinge assembly for supporting a fan on a roof comprising: a) a first hinge side cooperating with a second hinge side; b) the first hinge side being similar in structure to the second hinge side; c) the first hinge having a mounting support bar and a fan support bar; d) a hinge mutually connecting the mounting support bar to the fan support bar in a movable relationship; e) the mounting support bar being securable to a surface; f) the fan support bar being securable to the fan; g) the fan support bar being securable in at least two desired positions relative to the mounting support bar in order to position the fan in a cleaning position; h) the first hinge side including a positioning means to secure the fan support bar in position displaced from mounting support bar; and i) the positioning means permitting the at least two desired positions to be achieved.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The buttressed hinge assembly of claim 1 further comprising: a) the mounting support bar including at least two apertures for securing the mounting support bar to a desired surface; b) the fan support bar including at least two apertures for securing the fan support bar to the fan; and c) the mounting support bar and the fan support bar including at least two positioning apertures for releasably positioning the fan support bar relative to the fan support bar for cleaning as desired.
 4. The buttressed hinge assembly of claim 3 further comprising: a) the at least two apertures for the mounting support bar including a plurality of apertures in order to evenly distribute a weight of the fan; b) the at least two apertures for the fan support bar including a plurality of apertures in order to evenly distribute a weight of the fan; c) the mounting support bar including a hinge; d) the hinge including hinge locking pin apertures; and e) the fan support including fan support bar locking pin apertures.
 5. The buttressed hinge assembly of claim 4 further comprising: a) the hinge locking pin apertures and the fan support bar locking pin apertures being individually alignable to form at least one aligned set; and b) the at least one aligned set receiving a locking pin, in order to hold the hinge assembly in a desired position.
 6. The buttressed hinge assembly of claim 5 further comprising: a) the desired position being a fully opened position or a partially opened position; b) the desired position providing for cleaning or service; and c) the locking pin being slidably mounted in the at least one aligned set.
 7. The buttressed hinge assembly of claim 6 further comprising: a) the partially opened position being a 45-degree angle of the mounting support bar relative to the fan support bar; and b) the fully opened position being a 90-degree angle of the mounting support bar relative to the tan support bar.
 8. The buttressed hinge assembly of claim 5 further comprising: a) a mounting bar brace connecting a pair of the mounting support bar in a U-shape; and b) the mounting bar brace supporting the buttressed hinge assembly.
 9. In a fan mounting assembly for supporting a fan on a roof of a restaurant including a buttressed hinge assembly and a fan, the improvement comprising: a) the buttressed hinge assembly a first hinge side mounted to cooperate with a second hinge side; b) the first hinge side being similar in structure to the second hinge side; c) the first hinge having a mounting support bar and a fan support bar; d) a hinge mutually connecting the mounting support bar to the fan support bar in a movable relationship; e) the mounting support bar being securable to a surface; f) the fan support bar being securable to the fan; g) the fan support bar being securable in at least two desired positions relative to the mounting support bar in order to position the fan in a cleaning position; h) the first hinge side including a positioning means to secure the fan support bar in position displaced from mounting support bar; and i) the positioning means permitting the at least two desired positions to be achieved.
 10. (canceled)
 11. The fan mounting assembly of claim 9 further comprising: a) the mounting support bar including at least two apertures for securing the mounting support bar to a desired surface; b) the fan support bar including at least two apertures for securing the fan support bar to the fan; and c) the mounting support bar and the fan support bar including at least two positioning apertures for releasably positioning the fan support bar relative to the fan support bar for cleaning as desired.
 12. The fan mounting assembly of claim 11 further comprising; a) the at least two apertures for the mounting support bar including a plurality of apertures in order to evenly distribute a weight of the fan; b) the at least two apertures for the fan support bar including a plurality of apertures in order to evenly distribute a weight of the fan; c) the mounting support bar including a hinge; d) the hinge including hinge locking pin apertures; and e) the fan support including fan support bar locking pin apertures.
 13. The fan mounting assembly of claim 12 further comprising; a) the hinge including hinge locking pin apertures and the fan support bar locking pin apertures being individually alignable to form at least one aligned set; b) the at least one aligned set receiving a locking pin, in order to hold the hinge assembly in a desired position; c) the hinge including a hinge plate secured between the fan support bar and the mounting support bar with a hinge nut and bolt assembly; and d) the hinge plate being secured to the mounting support bar with a plate nut and bolt assembly.
 14. The fan mounting assembly of claim 13 further comprising: a) the desired position being a fully opened position or a partially opened position; b) the desired position providing for cleaning or service; c) the locking pin being slidably mounted in the at least one aligned set; and d) the plate including adjustment apertures for the buttressed hinge assembly.
 15. The fan mounting assembly of claim 14 further comprising a) the partially opened position being a 45-degree angle of the mounting support bar relative to the fan support bar; and b) the fully opened position being a 90-degree angle of the mounting support bar relative to the fan support bar.
 16. The fan mounting assembly of claim 14 further comprising: a) a mounting bar brace connecting a pair of the mounting support bar in a U-shape; and b) the mounting bar brace supporting the buttressed hinge assembly.
 17. A method of installing a fan assembly on a roof with hinge assembly for supporting the fan on a roof comprising: a) providing a hinge assembly as buttressed hinge assembly with a first hinge side cooperating with a second hinge side; b) having the first hinge side be similar in structure to the second hinge side; c) proving the first hinge with a mounting support bar and a fan support bar; d) mutually connecting the mounting support bar to the fan support bar in a movable relationship with a hinge; e) securing the first mounting support bar and the second mounting support bar to a vent in the roof; f) securing the fan support bar to the fan; g) securing the fan support bar in at least two desired positions relative to the mounting support bar in order to position the fan in a cleaning position; h) positioning the first hinge side and the second hinge side to secure the fan support bar in position displaced from mounting support bar; j) the first hinge side including a positioning means to secure the fan support bar in position displaced from mounting support bar; and k) the positioning means permitting the at least two desired positions to be achieved.
 18. The method of claim 17 further comprising: a) providing at least two apertures for the mounting support bar in order to secure the mounting support bar to a desired surface; b) providing at least two apertures for the fan support bar in order to secure the fan support bar to the fan; and c) providing at least two positioning apertures for the mounting support bar and the fan support bar including at least two positioning apertures in order to releasably position the fan support bar relative to the fan support bar for cleaning as desired.
 19. The method of claim 18 further comprising: a) the at least two apertures for the mounting support bar including a plurality of apertures in order to evenly distribute a weight of the fan; b) the at least two apertures for the fan support bar including a plurality of apertures in order to evenly distribute a weight of the fan; c) the mounting support bar including a hinge; d) the hinge including hinge locking pin apertures; and e) the fan support including fan support bar locking pin apertures.
 20. The method of claim 19 further comprising: a) the hinge including hinge locking pin apertures and the fan support bar locking pin apertures being individually alignable to form at least one aligned set; b) the at least one aligned set receiving a locking pin, in order to hold the hinge assembly in a desired position; c) the desired position being a fully opened position or a partially opened position; d) the desired position providing for cleaning or service; e) the locking pin being slidably mounted in the at least one aligned set; f) the partially opened position being a 45 degree angle of the mounting support bar relative to the fan support bar; g) the fully opened position being a 90-degree angle of the mounting support bar relative to the fan support bar. h) a mounting bar brace connecting a pair of the mounting support bar in a U-shape; and i) the mounting bar brace supporting the buttressed hinge assembly. 